Second Layer Barrier, Orichalcos Qi, activate!
The second green light shot up into the sky, like green halos encased around the outer perimeter of the original barrier. It was as if the light ring embedded with special runes on the ground slowly rotated, sealing the dueling field like an impenetrable cage.
"The second layer of the barrier has activated…" Keihei muttered, looking at Yugen with growing concern.
As this new barrier activated, the Orichalcos mark on the forehead of the Judge seemed to shine even brighter, and the surging power within grew even more abundant, with eyes that seemed to contain a beast ready to burst out from within a cage.
"The second layer of the Orichalcos Barrier, Orichalcos Qi, is treated as 'Orichalcos Barrier' and has the same effects as the first layer of the barrier." The Judge said indifferently.
"And on that basis, it also has a new ability. Once per turn, during one's own main phase, restore life points equal to the number of Monster Cards on one's field x500.
Currently, I have 'Magic Sky Fortress Jiglat' as my Monster on the field. Therefore, I restore 500 life points."
Transparent energy fluctuations radiated from the massive fortress, flowing into the Judge's body.
[Judge, LP 2200→ LP 2700]
"Finally, I set three cards, ending my turn."
He paused for a moment and added.
"At the end phase, the effect of 'Magic Sky Fortress Jiglat' is also activated.
Each time my turn ends, a 'Robot Derivative' is Special Summoned in Defense Mode on my field."
A small robot appeared floating in mid-air and landed on the field, half-squatting as it guarded the front of the field.
[Robot Derivative, Defense Power 0]
"As long as the Robot Derivative summoned by this effect is on the field, the opponent can only attack the Robot Derivative."
Yugen had already faced this Magic Sky Fortress when dealing with Ameluda and was not surprised by its effects.
"My turn, draw a card."
Yugen drew a card and simultaneously raised his hand to reveal his backfield.
"Activate the trap 'Goblin's Business Skills'.
Draw cards equal to the number of 'Goblin Business Skills' cards in the Graveyard +1 from the deck, then return one card from the hand to the bottom of the deck.
And then the second card."
The other covered card in Yugen's backfield was also revealed, also "Goblin's Business Skills".
Both Goblin Business Skills were activated simultaneously.
"At this moment, activate the Speed Attack Magic 'Emergency Food'." Yugen said, "Send your own Magic and Trap cards on the field to the Graveyard, restoring 1000 life points for each card.
I send the two activated 'Goblin's Business Skills' and the Continuous Trap 'Cosmic Contraction' to the Graveyard, restoring 3000 life points."
The three backfield cards transformed into golden light and surged into his body.
[Yugen, LP 2800→LP 5800]
"In this way, when the effect of the two 'Goblin's Business Skills' resolves, both cards have already been sent to the Graveyard by the activation of 'Emergency Food'. Additionally, among the five cards sent to the Graveyard by the 'Take Over 5' activated in the first turn, there is a third 'Goblin's Business Skills'.
According to the effect of Business Skills, I draw four cards from the deck and return one card from my hand.
Two Business Skills allow a total of eight cards to be drawn, and two cards to be returned from the hand."
Two consecutive draws of four cards, a total of six cards supplemented in hand.
"Effect resolution complete, next entering the preparation phase." Yugen said, "During the preparation phase, when there are no cards in your Magic Trap Zone, Special Summon the 'Yellow Springs Frog' from the Graveyard.
Return to the field, Yellow Springs Frog."
A vortex in the Graveyard opened, and a small frog with a light ring above its head jumped out onto Yugen's field.
[Yellow Springs Frog, Defense Power 100]
"Ho, while supplementing the hand in one go, creating the conditions for Yellow Springs Frog to appear." the Judge said, "And on this basis, significantly replenishing life points..."
He let out a cold laugh.
"Such decisive tactics, whether in offense, defense, or sustainable operation, all at such a top level... is this really something the former Fujiki Yugen could achieve?"
Yugen frowned.
"Who on earth are you..." the Judge asked directly, his face cold, "...?"
A brief pause.
"I don't understand what you're talking about." Yugen said calmly.
"No need to pretend, let's speak openly." the Judge said coldly, "I've thoroughly investigated you, from the birth of a human named 'Fujiki Yugen', the trajectory of his life, and his path of dueling... it all seemed so mediocre.
But now he's suddenly progressed rapidly in such a short time, even reaching the pinnacle of this world. Those foolish mortals might be deceived by you, but I am not.
If you have plans and are worried about your true identity being revealed, you need not be concerned. With this second layer of barrier, I've already established a screen for all sounds, and this conversation remains between us; others cannot hear it."
After a pause, the Judge narrowed his eyes: "Come, tell me, where did you come from? Are you a higher elf? Or perhaps a creature born from unimaginable darkness like Tragodia? Or like the Nameless Pharaoh, a powerful soul residing within this vessel?
Or..."
He lowered his voice.
"...Are you, like me, a deity from another realm?"
Yugen was initially baffled.
Then he suddenly realized that the Cheating Snake might have mistaken him as a kindred.
Clearly, in the eyes of this Snake God, there is only one possibility for an originally worthless ordinary Duelist to suddenly transform into a gaming god like he's cheating in this world.
And that is a Back Spirit.
Either he picked up a shiny pendant with a leftover soul of a three-thousand-year-old grandmaster inside or got possessed after awakening like the Little Lobster.
And judging by Yugen's person, who not only played cards despicably and ruthlessly but also acted with sinister and unfathomable means that did not resemble a righteous path, he had secretly categorized him within the camp similar to Tragodia and the Evil God Zok.
"...I am who I am, whether you believe it or not."
Knowing the other's thoughts, Yugen didn't care and continued on his own.
"Sacrifice the 'Yellow Springs Frog' for an Upper-level Summon!
The dark ruler from the depths of the abyss—
——Evil Emperor Gaius, Summon!"
The deafening roar seemed to swallow the heavens and earth with endless darkness. A colossal form, seemingly condensed from pure darkness, crackling with blue-violet arcs, descended from the abyss.
Evil Emperor Gaius, Summon!
[Evil Emperor Gaius, Attack Power 2400]
"When Evil Emperor Gaius is successfully summoned, any card on the field can be banished from the game."
"Magnificent!" Keihei exclaimed, "'Magic Sky Fortress Jiglat' is unaffected by any Magic and Trap effects, but Monster Effects can break through it!"
Yugen waved his hand.
"Evil Emperor Gaius, banish 'Magic Sky Fortress Jiglat'!"